AI en Translation, Pages 401-425
Page 402
His Eminence the Most Magnificent Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Blessed greetings.
Sir.
I submit this letter to your high position, offering my sincerest congratulations
on the occasion of your Eminence's election for the fourth time.
Praying to the Almighty, Glory be to Him, to preserve your beloved person as a great
asset for us and for all the members of our community, and to guard you with His eyes ⟦that do not⟧ sleep.
I seize this happy opportunity to offer my highest
respects accompanied by sincerity.
Sincerely,
The clerk of His Excellency Najib Bey al-Rawi.
Baghdad 22 / 12 / 944
Ibrahim Naji Ezra.
Elections
Page 404
Kirkuk
24 / 12 / 949
His Eminence, the Most Magnificent Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri.
After greetings and respect, I read in one of the local newspapers this morning the news of your re-election to the presidency
of the Israelite community with great pleasure. Therefore, I have come to congratulate you from the heart on this confidence that your Eminence has received
from the community, and I wish you continued success and prosperity coupled with health and wellness, and may God keep you as a treasure
for the community.
Finally, please accept my respects to your Eminence, and may you remain protected.
Sincerely,
Shemtob Babi
⟦Isaac⟧
Page 406
CODES:
SCHOFIELDS 3 LETTERS
ORIENTAL 3 LETTERS
BENTLEY'S
ACME
Isaac Sassoon Mukamal - Baghdad
ISAAC SASSOON MUKAMAL
P. O. B. No. 14 P.O. Box No. 14
Telegraphic Address "Mukamal"
TELEGRAMS:
"MUKAMAL"
TELEPHONE NO. <del>729</del> 677
Telephone <del>729</del> Baghdad
No.
Baghdad on November 8, 1944 Baghdad
(Iraq)
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, the Respected
President of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
After greetings /
I received with great pleasure the news of my election along with my esteemed colleagues to the membership of
the venerable General Council, accompanied by your kind wishes. I send your Eminence my sincere thanks and hope
that I succeed in serving the community in a way that fulfills its hopes, to be worthy of its precious trust.
Please accept my highest respect.
Sincerely,
Isaac Sassoon Mukamal
⟦signature⟧
Elections
Page 407
18 / 12 / 944
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the Respected
After greetings and respect,
I would like to inform your esteemed council that the General Council has taken, in its meeting
held on December 3, 944, the following resolutions:-
(1) Forming a committee of the members, Messrs. Abdullah Shina, Yaqub Ezra Abdullah,
and Yaqub Yehuda Cohen, to study the condition of the hospitals and submit a report on the aspects of reform
possible to be carried out in these institutions.
(2) Forming a committee of the members, Messrs. Lawyer Anwar Zilkha, Heskel Yaqub Murad,
and Salman Sion Shina, to study the condition of the schools and submit a report on the aspects of reform possible
to be carried out in these institutions.
(3) Forming a committee of the members, Messrs. Albert Heskel Shammash, Israel Nassim Hay,
and Sassoon Aboudi Bashi, to study the principles of bookkeeping in the various institutions of the community
and submit its recommendations in this regard.
(4) Instructing your council to appoint a permanent auditor to supervise the accounts of the community's
institutions.
(5) Recommending to your council the necessity of expediting the submission of the general budget estimates for consideration.
(6) Recommending to your council the necessity of organizing the community's property records and striving to complete their transactions
in the Land Registry Department to preserve the community's rights therein.
Sincerely,
Head of the Community
By Election
Page 408
Presidency of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 531
Number ::
Date :: 18 / 12 / 944
Subject ::
His Excellency the Respected President of the Lay Council
After greetings and respect
I would like to inform your esteemed council that the General Council has taken in its meeting
held on December 3, 944, the following resolutions :-
1) Formation of a committee from the members: Mr. Abdullah Shahna • Yaqub Ezra Abdullah
and Yaqub Yehuda Cohen to study the condition of the hospitals and submit a report on the aspects of reform
possible to be carried out in these institutions.
2) Formation of a committee from the members: Lawyer Anwar Zilkha • Heskel Yaqub Murad
and Salman Sion Shahna to study the condition of the schools and submit a report on the aspects of reform possible
to be carried out in these institutions.
3) Formation of a committee from the members: Albert Heskel Shammash • Israel Nassim Hay
and Sassoon Aboudi Bashi • to study the principles of bookkeeping in the various institutions of the community
and submit its recommendations in this regard.
4) Instructing your council to appoint a permanent auditor to supervise the accounts of the community's
institutions.
5) Recommending to your council the necessity of expediting the submission of the general budget estimates for consideration.
6) Recommending to your council the necessity of organizing the community's property records and striving to complete their transactions
in the Land Registry Department to preserve the community's rights therein.
⟦illegible signature⟧
President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
22 / 12
Page 409
Committee for the Administration of the Jewish Community Funds
Baghdad
Number: 81/61/332
Date: ⟦illegible⟧
Minutes of the Community Council Meeting
The Council held its weekly meeting at five-thirty in the evening on
Monday, June 23, 1969, chaired by the President of the Council
and in the presence of the members:
1) Dr. Salman Darwish - Vice President of the Council and Head of the Administrative Body
2) Lawyer Salim Shaul - Member of the Administrative Body and Secretary of the Council
3) Lawyer Yusuf Al-Kabir - Member of the Administrative Body
4) Lawyer Meer Basri - Member of the Administrative Body
5) Dr. Jack Abboud - Member of the Administrative Body
6) Dr. Albert Nwi - Member of the Administrative Body
7) Mr. Shaul Hakim - Member of the Administrative Body
8) Mr. Yusuf Zelouf - Member of the Administrative Body
9) Mr. Naim Dangoor - Member of the Administrative Body
10) Mr. Isaac Qahtan - Member of the Administrative Body
11) Mr. Salim Khleif - Member of the Administrative Body
12) Mr. Naji Shasha - Member of the Administrative Body
13) Mr. Salim Zubaida - Member of the Administrative Body
14) Mr. Yusuf Shasha - Member of the Administrative Body
Apologies for absence were received from:
1) Dr. Albert Rabie
2) Mr. Salim Ezer
3) Mr. Yusuf Cohen
Secretary of the Council
Page 410
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: 7992
Subject:
Date: 20 November 944
Honorable Gentlemen
Daoud Shaul Tweig
Shimon Sofer
Saleh Faraj Hayyim
Respected
After greetings and respect
The esteemed General Council had decided in its meeting held on
25 July 944 to delegate you as an auditing body to review the accounts of the Lay Council
for the years 42/943 and 43/944 and to submit a report on them to the Council
So I ask you to please begin the audit so that we may be able to submit
your report to the Council along with the budget.
Please accept our respect.
On behalf of
President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
I ⟦...⟧
Page 412
Ministry of Justice
Editing
Number A / 1 / 7 / 19
Date 22 Dhu al-Hijjah / 1363
22 December / 1944
General Council Meeting
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Your letter numbered 8021 and dated 4 / 12 / 1944.
It has been reviewed.
On behalf of
⟦signature⟧
Minister of Justice
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Moallem Sion Moorad Nahom - Khorramshahr
M. SION MOORAD NAHOM
Telegraph: Moallem
KHORAMSHAHR
Telegraphic Address :
MOOALLEM
Code : Bentley's
Khorramshahr on 20 / 12 / 1949
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, the respected
Respectful greetings. Today we were informed by the Iraq newspaper that your Eminence
has been honored with the presidency of the community in Baghdad, and this election ⟦pleased⟧ us very much and gave us great joy.
We wish your Eminence success and guidance in helping the community. Please accept our highest respect.
⟦From us⟧ and from those who protect your Eminence, Sion Moorad Nahom ⟦?⟧ your sincere brother
⟦Sincere⟧
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Page 414
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: 827
Subject:
Date: 4 December 944
Honorable Gentlemen,
Abdullah Sayon Sheina
Yaqub Ezra Abdullah
Yaqub Yehuda Cohen
After greetings and respect,
In the meeting of the esteemed General Council on 3 December 944,
The Council decided to appoint you as a temporary committee to study the status of hospitals at the
present time and to submit a report addressing the aspects of reforms that can be introduced to
these institutions. We ask you to begin your mission and kindly submit the
required report as soon as possible, with much respect.
⟦Sassoon⟧
President of the Community
A copy of it to the esteemed Hospitals Committee
To kindly provide all possible assistance to facilitate the mission of this committee.
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Page 415
Telegram 9
Incoming Internal Telegram
Number: ⟦4⟧
Telegram Type: H
Time of Registration: 745
BAGHDAD
13 JUL 49
TELEGRAPHS
Baghdad
Telegram
Office Stamp
Arrived at hour: ⟦✓⟧
Minute: 57
From: Basra
Received by: ⟦illegible⟧
Word count: 19
Administrative Instructions:
Date: 13
Issuing Office: Basra
To His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri President
of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
We congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the community
for the fourth time and wish you success
Elections
Yosef Hay
Page 417
Minutes of the second meeting held on December 3, 944
Based on the receipt of a written request dated November 19, 944 addressed to the Presidency of
the Community and signed by twenty-six members of the General Council requesting the convening of the Council
to discuss the subject of reforms needed by hospitals, schools, and accounts,
the President of the Community issued an invitation to the members of the General Council dated November 21, 944
to hold an extraordinary meeting in accordance with Article 13 of the Community Bylaws at
five o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, November 26, 944, at the Community Administration headquarters
to consider the items of the following agenda:-
1) Reading the minutes of the previous meeting.
2) Discussing the reforms needed by the hospitals.
3) Discussing the reforms needed by the schools.
4) Discussing the reforms needed by the accounts.
5) The resignation of Mr. Ezra Menachem Daniel from the membership of the General Council.
At the appointed time, only the twenty-eight members whose names are recorded elsewhere
in this register attended, and due to the lack of a quorum, the meeting was postponed to another date.
The President of the Community issued another invitation to the members of the General Council to hold the meeting again in accordance
with Article 14 of the Bylaws at five-thirty in the evening on Sunday, December 3,
944. At the appointed time, the thirty-eight members whose names are recorded elsewhere
in this register attended, so the President announced the opening of the session and instructed ⟦the secretary⟧ to read the minutes of the
previous meeting. It was read, and the President asked if anyone had an objection to the contents of the minutes, and no
objection occurred. Then the President requested a discussion on the second item, which is the reforms needed by
the hospitals. After the discussion, it was deemed necessary to form a committee to study this subject and submit
a report to the Council on the aspects of reform that it sees possible to undertake in our health institutions
such as Meir Elias Hospital, Rima Khedouri Hospital, the Dispensary for the Poor, Dar Al-Shifa Pharmacy, and school
dispensaries. Member Mr. Heskel Yaqoub Murad ⟦received⟧ submitted a proposal to form this committee
from the members: Messrs. Yaqoub Cohen, Yaqoub Ezra Abdullah, and Abdullah Shina. The
President put this proposal to a vote, and it was accepted.
⟦Isaac⟧
Page 419
Then the discussion took place on the third paragraph of the agenda, which is the reforms needed by
the schools. A number of members spoke on this subject and praised the efforts of the Schools Committee
with great appreciation. They also pointed out the necessity of forming a committee to submit a report on the reforms that
the schools may need in some aspects, such as studying the issue of the percentage of poor students
who study for free in each of the schools, and so on. The member Mr.
Heskel Yaqoub Murad submitted a proposal to form the committee from the members: Messrs. Heskel Yaqoub Murad,
Salman Sayon Shamina, and Anwar Zilkha. The President put this proposal to a vote, and it was accepted.
Then the discussion took place on the fourth article of the agenda regarding the reforms needed for
the accounts. The discussants clarified that this subject covers two points. First, ⟦either⟧ the principles of bookkeeping
for the accounts, and second, the permanent supervision of the accounts to verify their accuracy. As for the principles of keeping
accounts in each institution, they are determined by the specialized committee belonging to that institution. As for the supervision
of the accounts to verify their accuracy, it is one of the duties of the Lay Council, which must exercise
this authority through its employees, especially since the General Council had previously supported the recommendations
of the board of auditors it appoints to audit the accounts of the Lay Council, stating that there is an extreme
necessity for a specialized employee to audit the accounts of the community's institutions in detail, something which is not expected
to be carried out by that board itself. Accordingly, the member Mr. Heskel Yaqoub Murad submitted a proposal
to form an accounts committee consisting of the members: Albert Heskel Shammash - ⟦Anwar Zilkha, Hay, Scouri, and Yusuf Bani⟧ <del>Yaqoub Salman, so he put</del>
the President put this proposal to a vote and it was accepted. Then the member Mr. Ibrahim Hayyim Moallem Nassim submitted this
⟦proposal⟧ proposal to take a decision to instruct the Lay Council to appoint a permanent auditor
to supervise the accounts of the community's institutions. The proposal was put to a vote and accepted. During the discussion
on ⟦the accounts⟧ the accounts, some members pointed out the Lay Council's habit of delaying the submission of the budget every
year until after the greater part of the year has passed, so that there is no meaning in presenting the budget to the General Council
for approval after most of it has been spent and it has become like final accounts. This was pointed out
in the recommendations of the General Council in this regard, but no result came of it. Some
speakers pointed out the status of the community's properties and insisted on the necessity of organizing their records and completing their transactions in the Land Registry
departments to preserve the community's rights in them.
The discussion took place regarding the resignation of Mr. Ezra Menachem Daniel
from the membership of the General Council. The members spoke, highlighting the valuable services rendered by Mr. Ezra Menachem
to the community. The Council decided to reject the resignation and form a delegation of members: Heskel Shuttob, Khedhouri Meir Lawee,
and Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq to meet Mr. Ezra Menachem and convey to him the Council's request to withdraw the resignation.
Then the meeting was adjourned.
Page 421
On December 10, 1944, the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad called the General Council to
convene at five o'clock on the evening of Sunday, December 17, 1944, to elect a new president for the community
for the next term starting on the nineteenth day of February 1945. At the appointed time, the fifty
members whose names are recorded elsewhere in this register attended. The President opened the meeting and instructed the secretary
to read the minutes of the previous meeting. They were read, and then he asked if anyone had an objection to the minutes; no objection was raised.
Then His Eminence invited Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, President of the Lay Council, to chair the meeting in his stead to manage
the election and vacated the chair. The President asked the members if any of them wished to speak before proceeding
with the election. Member Mr. Daoud Samra spoke, praising the great services rendered by His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon
Khedhouri, the current President of the community, during his tenure in the presidency over the last twelve years. He said
that this venerable spiritual man has been able, through his knowledge and wisdom, to gain the appreciation and trust of his fellow citizens. He said
that although the community law allowed for the election of a layman to the presidency of the community, the spiritual man
is the only person who can fill such a position in the countries of the East, and the current President is
the most worthy man for this position among our spiritual men. He was followed by Mr. Heskel Yaqub Murad, supporting Mr.
Daoud Samra in everything he said about His Eminence the President. Mr. Ibrahim Hayyim Mu'allim Nassim spoke, and after supporting
the two previous speakers, he pointed to the exhausting work carried out by His Eminence the President and the hardships he endures
in his arduous job. Then he said that we must admit that the complaints we hear from members of the community are
due to the lack of interest of the General Councils in practicing their duties as required on one hand, and to the weakness
of the Lay Council on the other. He said that he expects from the current council, which shows apparent alertness,
to remove the causes of these complaints. Then Mr. Ibrahim Al-Kabir spoke and praised the current President, then said
that while we regret the issuance of misplaced attacks from some individuals for personal purposes,
we must welcome the sincere criticisms issued by some youth and give them their due study and attention.
Then the President ordered the distribution of papers and invited members Rabbi Yehoshua Moshe Heskel, Mr. Heskel Yaqub Murad,
and Mr. Daoud Salman to supervise the election and classify the votes in the election. The papers were handed to them,
and the result was as follows: -
Name | Number of votes obtained
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri | 49
Mr. Ibrahim Hayyim Mu'allim Nassim | 1 one vote
The President announced that His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri had been elected President of the community for the four years starting
on the nineteenth of February 1945 AD. The result was met with applause, and His Eminence
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri was invited to the chair. His Eminence addressed the council members, thanking them for the precious trust
they placed in his person and asked all of them for blessing and success. Then the meeting was adjourned.
Election Supervision Committee
Member Member Member President
Page 423
On December 10, 944, the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad invited the General Council to
convene at five o'clock on the evening of Sunday, December 17, 944, to elect a new president for the community
for the upcoming term starting on the nineteenth day of February 945. At the appointed time, the fifty
members whose names are recorded elsewhere in this register attended. The President opened the meeting and instructed the secretary
to read the minutes of the previous meeting. They were read, and then he asked if anyone had an objection to the minutes; no objection was raised.
Then His Eminence invited Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, President of the Lay Council, who presided over the meeting in his stead to manage
the election and vacated the chair. The President asked the members if any of them wished to speak before proceeding
with the election. Member Mr. Daoud Samra spoke, praising the great services rendered by His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon
Khedhouri, the current President of the community, during his tenure in the presidency over the last twelve years. He said
that this venerable spiritual man has been able, through his knowledge and wisdom, to gain the appreciation and trust of his fellow citizens. He said
that although the community law allowed for the election of a layman to the presidency of the community, the spiritual man
is the only person who can fill such a position in the countries of the East, and the current President is
the most worthy man for this position among our spiritual men. He was followed by Mr. Heskel Yaqub Murad, supporting Mr.
Daoud Samra in everything he said about His Eminence the President. Mr. Ibrahim Hayyim Mu'allim Nassim spoke, and after supporting
the two previous speakers, he pointed out the strenuous work performed by His Eminence the President and the hardships he endures
in his difficult job. Then he said that we must admit that the complaints we hear from members of the community are
due to the lack of interest of the General Councils in practicing their duties in the required manner on one hand, and to the weakness
of the Lay Council on the other. He said that he expects the current council, which shows visible alertness,
to remove the causes of these complaints. Then Mr. Ibrahim Al-Kabir spoke and praised the current President, then said
that while we regret the issuance of misplaced attacks by some individuals for personal purposes,
we must pay attention to the sincere criticisms issued by some youth and give them their due study and attention.
Then the President ordered the distribution of the papers and invited the members Rabbi Yehoshua Moshe Heskel, Mr. Heskel Yaqub Murad,
and Mr. Daoud Salman to supervise the election and classify the votes. The aforementioned gentlemen sorted
the papers, and the result was as follows:
Name | Number of votes obtained
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri | 49
Mr. Ibrahim Hayyim Mu'allim Nassim | 1 one vote
The President announced that His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri had been elected President of the community for the four years starting
on the nineteenth of February, the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-five AD. The result was met with applause, and
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri was invited to the chair. His Eminence addressed the council members, thanking them for the precious trust
they placed in his person and asked all of them for blessings and success. Then the meeting was adjourned.
Election Supervision Committee
Member Member Member President
Page 424
13 February 945
His Eminence Rabbi Suleiman Barzani, the respected
Head of the Israelite Community in Mosul
Mosul
After greetings and respect,
I thank Your Eminence for your kind wishes and blessings
which you included in your gracious letter No. 298 / 12 dated
8 / 2 / 945 on the occasion of my re-election as Head of the Community, and I wish
for Your Eminence continued prosperity and for the noble Israelite Community in Mosul
glory and success.
Please accept my respects;
Sincerely,
Sassoon
Head of the Community
Head of the Israelite Community
⟦Sassoon Khedhouri⟧
Page 425
Baghdad / 18 February 1945
His Excellency the Respected President of the General Council
Greetings and respect.
With reference to Your Excellency's letter dated 4/12/944 and numbered 8027
Since this committee began performing its assigned mission pursuant to the decision of the
respected General Council on 3/12/1944, it has continued to suffer hardships due to the position of the Chairman of the
Hospitals Committee, which involves a lack of support and obstruction of its duties.
Among these is his refusal to allow us to view the construction accounts for the premium section of Meir
Elias Hospital until now, despite our repeated requests for it, as the aforementioned account does not exist in
the hospital's books. Also, Dr. Heskel Daoud's services were recently terminated - as we learned -
in a manner contrary to procedures and inconsistent with the public interest to the extent that the hospital director himself,
Dr. Balayan, informed us orally that his opinion was not taken regarding this measure and indeed he
knew nothing about it until after the decision was issued, despite the fact that the dismissal of the mentioned doctor causes
a deficiency in the hospital's technical efficiency.
In view of this, we saw it as our duty to clarify the factors that necessitated the dismissal of the
mentioned doctor, so we addressed a letter dated 2/2/1945 to the Chairmanship of the Hospitals Committee in this regard.
Although the study of such a subject is at the core of our mission, as is not hidden from Your Excellency, and although
such actions and others are vital matters that must be studied and which the respected General Council
⟦expressed⟧ its explicit desire to be informed about through our committee, the Chairman of the Hospitals Committee
has refused to provide any information in this regard in a manner that we can only record our condemnation of his tone,
as is clear from his letter dated 14/2/45, a copy of which is attached herewith for your kind perusal
and consideration of what is necessary.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest respect.
The Mandated Committee to Study the Condition
of Hospitals
Copy to: The Chairmanship of the Respected Lay Council;
" The Chairmanship of the Hospitals Committee; for information
⟦A. S.⟧
⟦Correct⟧
⟦illegible⟧